Friday, June 29, 2012

National Healthcare Upheld The Supreme Court upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act challenge on Thursday. The reversal would have had little to no impact on service-connected veterans served by the Department of Veterans Affairs or on military members and retirees served by military medicine or enrolled in TRICARE. This is because VFW led the fight back in March 2010 to get Congress to recognize all VA and Defense Department health programs as meeting minimal acceptable coverage standards as required by a proposed national healthcare bill that had failed to include VA health programs for widows, disabled children, and almost 90 percent of military TRICARE programs. With the strong support of then-House Armed Service Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), and the grassroots advocacy of thousands of VFW members and supporters, the new, more encompassing legislation quickly passed Congress and was signed into law by the president on May 27, 2010. Read the high court's ruling.

Stolen Valor Act Overturned Thursday, VFW was very disappointed to learn that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 in a 6-3 decision. Still, the high court did mention in their decision that a more narrowly defined law in the future might survive a First Amendment free speech trial. Despite the ruling, VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer said, "VFW will continue to challenge far-fetched stories, and to publicize these false heroes to the broadest extent possible as a deterrent to others." Read the justices' opinions.

What do you think? Let us know what you think of the Supreme Court's decision on Stolen Valor by taking our poll and leaving comments on our blog.

VFW Supported Bills Clear SubcommitteesThe House VA Committee had a busy week of mark-ups. A list of some of the bills cleared by subcommittees is below. All of the legislation now moves to the full committee for a vote. To read about the VFW-supported legislation and to read our complete testimony on several of the measures passed, click here.

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation cleared:

H.R. 3730, Veterans Data Breach Timely Notification Act, would require VA, within ten days of a data breach, to notify Congress and each individual whose sensitive personal information is involved in the breach.

H.R. 5948, Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2012, would provide further protections and more oversight of veteran fiduciaries to ensure the veterans' needs are being handled properly.

The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs cleared:

H.R. 5735 establishes a Tomb of Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery.

H.R. 5880 authorizes VA to contract with private companies for examinations to help in the processing of disability claims.

The Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity cleared:

H.R. 4115, HIRE at HOME Act, requires states to consider some military training received by a veteran as valid for certification towards: a commercial driver's license or a certification to be a nursing assistant or certified nursing assistant, a registered nurse or an emergency medical technician.

H.R. 4057 would direct VA to develop a comprehensive outreach and transparency policy for veterans regarding information received about higher education institutions.

H.R. 5747 would prohibit the sale, foreclosure or seizure of property for a year after a service member is discharged or deployed by the military. It also provides credit protections and asks large mortgage companies to maintain a toll-free number for addressing any financial concerns.

The Subcommittee on Health cleared:

H.R. 3337, the Open Burn Pit Registry Act, would direct VA to create a registry of all service members who have been exposed to open air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. As further research opens doors to new and improved treatments for health issues related to toxic inhalations, this registry will help VA target those resources to those who most need them.

For more information on all the bills that were cleared, visit the House VA Committee website.

Senate Reviews Health and Benefit Bills for Vets This week, The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss over 25 health- and benefit-related bills still pending. Among the legislation discussed was several VFW-supported provisions that would enhance services for homeless veterans, improve access to VA mental healthcare, provide reproductive services for catastrophically disabled veterans and authorize VA to include immunizations as a part of preventive medicine within VHA. Other bills included:

S. 2259, Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which increases the rates of disability compensation for service-disabled veterans and the rates of DIC for survivors (effective December 2012).

For a complete list of all the bills considered or to view the recorded webcast, click here.

VFW Applauds State AGs for Protecting Student-Vets The VFW applauded the work of 20 state attorney generals, who announced this week that the website, GIBill.com, had officially been turned over to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and that the site's owner, QuinStreet, would pay $2.5 million to states as part of a settlement for fraudulent recruiting practices. To see highlights from this week's press conference, announcing the settlement, and to learn about the VFW's ongoing efforts to protect student-veterans, click here.

WASHINGTON (June 29, 2012) - The Department of Veterans Affairs has selected a site to serve as the location of a 21st century medical center in Louisville, Ky., replacing an existing 60-year-old facility.

"This new hospital will provide state-of-the-art health care for the Veterans of Louisville and the surrounding 35-county region," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "At VA, we're committed to upgrading our facilities, programs and technologies to ensure our patients receive the best care anywhere."

The site for the new VA medical center is located in Jefferson County, adjacent to the Brownsboro Road and I-264 interchange. That location is close to the current Robley Rex VA Medical Center and the downtown University of Louisville Hospital.

Now that the site has been selected, VA will undertake master planning and design. The facility is expected to cost about $883 million and open in late 2017 or early 2018.

The new medical center will have 110 inpatient beds and clinics specializing in primary care, surgery, and mental health. The new facility will also have a geriatric and extended care program, a home-based primary care program, and a substance abuse residential rehabilitation treatment program.

VA operates one of the nation's largest integrated health care systems in the country. With a health care budget of about $50 billion, VA expects to provide care to 6.3 million patients during 920,000 hospitalizations and nearly 90 million outpatient visits this year. VA's health care network includes 152 major medical centers and more than 800 community-based outpatient clinics.

Last year, VA spent more than $1.9 billion on behalf of Kentucky's 331,000 Veterans. In addition to the Louisville facility, VA operates a two-campus medical center in Lexington, nearly two dozen community-based outpatient clinics across the state, Vet Centers in Louisville and Lexington, and seven national cemeteries.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, the Subcommittees on Oversight and Investigations (O&I) and Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) will hold markups of pending legislation.

H.R. 3730: Veterans Data Breach Timely Notification Act–To amend Title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide notice to individuals whose sensitive personal information is involved in a data breach, and for other purposes. (Rep. Donnelly, IN)

H.R. 4481: Veterans Affairs Employee Accountability Act–To amend Title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs employees who violate certain civil laws do not receive bonuses. (Rep. Roe, TN)

H.R. 5948: Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2012–To amend Title 38, United States Code, to improve the supervision of fiduciaries of veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. (Rep. Johnson, OH)

WHO: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

WHAT: Markup of A.N.S to H.R. 5735, H.R. 5880, and an A.N.S to H.R. 5881

H.R. 5735 with an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Rep. Runyan: To provide for the establishment of a Place of Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery for interment of cremated fragments of the remains of members of the Armed Forces killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or a subsequent conflict when the fragments are unidentifiable by use of DNA testing or other means because of the condition of the fragments, are unclaimed, or are identified and authorized by the person designated to direct disposition of the remains for interment in such memorial. (Rep. Stivers, OH)

WASHINGTON (June 26, 2012)- The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging all Veterans to be tested for HIV at least once in their lives.

VA offers HIV testing as part of its comprehensive, world-class care for the men and women who have served this Nation in uniform," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Testing, regardless of age or risk factors, is an important step to healthier, longer lives."

Some VA facilities offer HIV testing on a walk-in basis or through routine primary care appointments. Others offer testing as part of special health fairs. More information about the benefits of being tested is available at www.hiv.va.gov.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, designed to raise awareness of the importance of early detection, which can help prevent the spread of the virus, extend life expectancy and reduce overall medical expenses.

It is estimated that 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one out of five are unaware they are infected.

VA operates one of the nation's largest integrated health care systems in the country. With a health care budget of about $50 billion, VA expects to provide care to 6.3 million patients during 920,000 hospitalizations and nearly 90 million outpatient visits this year. VA's health care network includes 152 major medical centers and more than 800 community-based outpatient clinics.

We're so glad to have so many veterans back home. But the huge VA workload isn't going to resolve itself overnight …

The average wait on a new VA benefits claim is eight months.

This is just one of the reasons I need you to help out with a gift to VFW.

I've heard from a lot of VFW members, Sean, but I haven't heard from you.

Any amount you can give today will help veterans of all conflicts get the hand up they need from VFW.

We have 267 VFW service officers on the ground helping veterans get what they've earned. We're also offering emergency aid to military families who are in a bad way. And we're keeping those still fighting connected with home.

Our goal is simple. As long as even one struggling comrade needs us, we're going to be there.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Turkish Fighter Shootdown Concerns Panetta, Press Secretary Says

By Cheryl PellerinAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta shares the State Department's deep concern over the June 22 shootdown by Syrian forces of a Turkish F-4 fighter and two Turkish pilots, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

After speaking with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on June 24, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned what she called a "brazen and unacceptable act."

"It is yet another reflection of the Syrian authorities' callous disregard for international norms, human life, and peace and security," Clinton said.

"The [Syrian] action speaks for itself," Little told reporters, "and we believe that it was, to use Secretary Clinton's words, a 'brazen act' ... and the Syrian regime needs to answer for it."

Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said the Defense Department has seen nothing to indicate the shootdown wasn't deliberate.

After the shootdown, Little said, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozelto, to express concern over the loss of the Turkish pilots.

Navy Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, also spoke with one of his Turkish counterparts, Little said, adding that Greenert traveled to Turkey June 19-22 to foster the relationship between U.S. and Turkish naval forces.

Turkey has called for a consultation of the North Atlantic Council under Article 4 of the NATO treaty. The meeting will take place tomorrow in Brussels. Under Article 4, any ally can request consultations whenever they believe their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

The council includes ambassadors of all 28 NATO allies, and Little said the discussion will be led by the State Department, represented by Ambassador Ivo Daalder.

"We will be present at the discussions in Brussels with our NATO allies," the press secretary added, "and beyond that, it's really for our counterparts to discuss what may or may not happen."

The Defense Department maintains a very strong military relationship with its Turkish allies, Little said, and department officials will "continue to have discussions with them about the equipment they need to defend themselves."

The press secretary said Defense Department officials stand ready to assist the Turkish government in the rescue and recovery effort for the missing pilots "if they request such help."

About Me

Veterans Advocate and Past Chairman of American Cold War Veterans. Veteran of
the US Army 1989-1991. Served overseas in Southwest Asia for 17 months with the
528th USAAG during the Gulf War. 100 percent Service Connected Disabled Veteran also a member of VFW Dept NY Post 53 , NY Post 001 American Legion, DAV Robert P Illig Post #47.

About Me

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